During the upcoming Spring Festival holiday in 2026, waterway passenger transport in Zhejiang Province is projected to handle 2.378 million travelers, representing approximately 20% of the national total for the same period. The increase is primarily driven by tourism, with routes to destinations such as Putuo Mountain experiencing particularly high demand for pilgrimages and sightseeing. This trend indicates a continued recovery in Zhejiang's water transport market. Additional services have been arranged on popular routes to ensure sufficient capacity, and passenger transport remains smooth and orderly.
In the days leading up to the holiday, passenger numbers in the Zhoushan Archipelago have shown an upward trend. During the first two days of the holiday, an estimated 170,000 passengers are expected to be transported, with the Putuo Mountain route alone accounting for 110,000 travelers. The peak is forecast for February 18, the second day of the lunar new year, with single-day traffic potentially exceeding 160,000 passengers.
On the cargo side, the transport of key supplies remains unimpeded during the holiday. A total of 163 vessels carrying thermal coal, 17 very large crude carriers (VLCCs), and one liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel operated by Cheniere are scheduled to arrive at ports. Operations at the province's ports have been orderly, ensuring stable supplies of energy and essential goods.
According to weather forecasts, strong winds of force 8 to 10 are expected along the Zhejiang coast from February 15 to 17 due to a cold front, which may lead to temporary suspensions of some coastal routes. Conditions are expected to improve from February 18, with calmer winds likely to spur another wave of travel.
To mitigate the impact of weather on waterway transport, the Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration has established a joint warning mechanism with meteorological authorities, strengthened the dissemination of navigation safety information, and guided vessels in adjusting voyage plans. Emergency response teams across the province remain on standby to ensure the safety and order of passenger travel and key supply transport.